Being Mindful of Your Recovering Loved One During the Holidays

December 15, 2014

Hosted by Mary Woods

Guest Information

Episode Description

Addiction can threaten the lives of people via many different avenues: recreational drugs, painkillers, alcohol, food, and more. While many of us grow excited about the holiday season, there are others that become anxious about this time of year. The events of the season can impose temptations and challenges for recovering addicts, especially those with co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and codependency, which can be heightened by the festivities that surround them. During this holiday season, let us be mindful of all of these people and the addictions they battle against. Whether you know somebody who is still battling an addiction or somebody that is in recovery, make the effort to be considerate of what they are going through. It is important to remember that those in recovery are indeed still struggling too. Our guest today with discuss what can we do to support our friends or family members in the fight against addiction during the holidays.

One Hour AT A Time

Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel

Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.

Mary Woods

Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.